The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-24
A SONG or THE SEA.
Bame Weird stsBsas Uttered BY
sailors NJ q Gaivests n Wharf,


As a reporter was strolling along
Kuhn's wharf yesterday afternoon,
says the Galveston News, the follow
ing singular song emanated from q
group Of sailors coiling up a rope on
the deck Of q large ship:
Sixteen mon on a dead mans chesti
70 no, no and bottle OF rum!
This devil aud drink did for the rest
30 Vol no, hoi and bottle OF ruml
As they slowly coiled the rope
they would give utterance to this
weird song, as kind Of accompani-
ment to their labor. There were
four in the group. One had the
make up" and countenance OF the
typical Jack tar, and what between
handling the rope, singing and squirt
ing huge streams Of tobacco juice
from his mouth, seemed to be enjoy
ing himself hugely, as he OCCASION
ally looked up at the sky and grinned
broadly. One Of his companions had
a nose that bore q close resemblance
TO a beacon, both in shape and color.
while the remaining two had the
ordinary appearance Of sea dogs.
Again the song foated out. with q
change Of words:
For they drank. and drank. and got so
drunk,
70 no. hoi and bottle Of ruml
Each ron the dead man bit chunkl
Vol no, hoi and bottle Of rumi
One OF the mates came upon deck
at this juncture, and the singing
ceased. But as soon as he disap-
peared il welled forth again:
The bottle burst, and the men acurst-
Vol no, DO and a bottle OF rumi
Sucked his blood 70 guenoh their thifstl
Vol no, hoi and . bottle ofruml
BY this time the reporter had
drawn near and could observe them
closely.
where did you learn that song2'
said tho reporter, addressing the
lack tar" OF the gang.
DO you hear that2" said the jack
tar, turning around to the beacon.
nosed seaman; no one but landlub.
Der would ask such a question a:
that. Where dye suppose we got ii
We didn't fish IL up from the sea
nor catch it IRON the sky. We just
learned it-and that's all there !,
about it," And ignoring the presencC
Of the reporter, they once more be.
gan their work, and two more verses
we're sung:
Thsy sucked his blood and srunchsd hi
Vol no, no and bottle Of rumi
When suddenly up came. Dayy Janesl
Tho. hol and bottle OF ruml
my monl' says he. "yOu must come viii
Vol ho. hoi and 4 bottle ofrumi.
ApS H. siSn'd so sa,r, ~ ,lm 0fs's
A hitch in the rope interrupted
the singers for q few minutes. u
never know'd IL TO fail" remarked
the Jack tar" as he squirted oyel
the side Of the ship an appalling
stream Of tobacco juice, "jist as w
begin TO get along smooth an oven II
that ar song, sumthin' comes 10 stoI
US.
The rope was fixed to their salts
faction, however, and the concluding
stanEas Of the song came forth.
Dayy Jones had q big black keyi
| Vol no, hoi and bottle Of rumi
| II was for his locker beneath the seal
Vol ho, hol and bottle Of ruml
lie vinked and blinked like an owl In tree
40 no, he and bottle Of rumi
And he sunk 'cm all 10 the bottom Of the Sea
Vol DO. hoi aud bottle Of rum!
Nov all take warning by this ERE sonRi
Vol no, boi and q bottle Of ruml
Never drink whisky 90 deytllth strongl
Vol no, no and bottle OF rumI
The last verso Of the song was ut.
tered 10 a high key, with particular
stress laid upon the third line. The,
got through with their song and worl
simultaneously, aitcr which the.
leaned against the taffrail and smoket
| and ,alLcd and tooked nj the skv.